Go Back
Classic Macaroni Salad

Classic Macaroni Salad Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 220

Ingredients
  

  • 8 oz elbow macaroni
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp sour cream
  • 2 tbsp cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp yellow mustard
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 cup finely diced celery
  • 1/2 cup finely diced red bell pepper
  • 1/4 cup sweet pickle relish
  • 3 scallions, thinly sliced
  • 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped (optional)
  • Paprika for sprinkling

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook macaroni until tender, about 8 minutes, then drain and rinse with cold water.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, cider vinegar, mustard, sugar, salt, and pepper until smooth.
  3. Dice the celery, bell pepper, and scallions into small pieces.
  4. In a large bowl, combine the cooled macaroni, diced vegetables, and relish. Pour the dressing over and fold gently until evenly coated.
  5. Transfer to a serving bowl, cover, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Before serving, stir, sprinkle with paprika, and top with chopped hard-boiled eggs if using.

Notes

This salad tastes even better after a night in the fridge, so feel free to make it a day ahead. The pasta will absorb some dressing as it sits; stir in a spoonful of milk or mayo if it thickens too much. For the best texture, keep it cold and serve within 4 hours of taking it out of the refrigerator.